The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1981 in Norwegian music.

Events

April

• 10 – The 8th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (April 10 – 12).^[1]

May

• 20 – 9th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 20 – June 3).^[2]

Albums released

Unknown date

A

The Aller Værste!

• Disniland I De Tusen Hjem (Den Gode Hensikt)^[3]

G

Jan Garbarek

• Folk Songs (ECM Records), with Charlie Haden, and Egberto Gismonti^[4]
• Eventyr (ECM Records), with Nana Vasconcelos, Palle Danielsson, and John Abercrombie^[5]
• Nude Ants (ECM Records), with Keith Jarrett, Palle Danielsson, and Jon Christensen^[6]

K

Karin Krog

• I Remember You (Spotlite Records)^[7]

R

Terje Rypdal

• To Be Continued (ECM Records)^[8]

S

Thorgeir Stubø

• Notice (ECM Records)^[9]

Øystein Sunde

• Barkebille Boogie (Philips Records)^[10]

V

Jan Erik Vold

• Stein. Regn (PolyGram Records), with Kåre Virud and Telemark Blueslag^[11]

Deaths

February

• 1 – Geirr Tveitt, composer and pianist (born 1908).^[12]

May

• 22 – Reimar Riefling, classical pianist, music teacher, and music critic (born 1898).^[13]

Births

February

• 2 – Julian Berntzen, vocalist, pianist, violinist and composer.

March

• 18 – Ingrid Olava, singer, pianist, and songwriter.
• 25 – Cato Sundberg, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Donkeyboy.

April

• 7 – Amund Maarud, blues and rock guitarist.
• 27 – Hilde Marie Kjersem, singer and songwriter.

June

• 16 – Ola Kvernberg, jazz violinist and composer.

July

• 13 – Sigurd Hole, jazz upright bassist , Eple Trio.
• 28 – Lars Fredrik Frøislie, vocalist, keyboardist and drummer.
• 29 – Gjermund Larsen, traditional folk music violinist and composer.

August

• 3 – Erlend Tvinnereim, operatic tenor.

October

• 24
  • Fredrik Mikkelsen, jazz guitarist.
  • Lucy Swann, English musician, vocalist, and composer, living in Norway.
• 26 – Erlend Slettevoll, jazz pianist and keyboarder.
• 28 – Andreas Loven, jazz pianist.
• 29 – Lene Alexandra, singer and model.

November

December

• 17 – Kim Myhr, jazz guitarist.
• 20 – John Olav Nilsen, vocalist and songwriter, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen.
• 24 – Solveig Heilo, composer and percussionist, Katzenjammer.

Unknown date

• Ivar Loe Bjørnstad, jazz and rock drummer.
• Todd Terje, DJ, songwriter, and record producer.